On 15 May, SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga participated in the 2nd AU-UN High Level Dialogue on Human Rights in Geneva, convened by OHCHR and the AU, and co-chaired by High Commissioner Volker Türk and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye. The Dialogue built on the outcomes of the 1st AU-UN High-Level Dialogue held in 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which resulted in the development and signing of the AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights in November 2023.

In his opening remarks, High Commissioner Türk highlighted the need for a cross regional and more inclusive global alliance on human rights. Commissioner Bankole observed that the AU’s goal was to see the AUCF fully operationalized in the African Standby Force and in peace support operations on the continent.

Discussions covered a recap of the 1st AU-UN High-Level Dialogue; the AU Theme of the Year - “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”; strengthening human rights compliance and accountability in AUPSOs through the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework (AUCF) and UNSCR 2719; Early Warning, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding; and engagements between AU and UN human rights mechanisms.

A notable outcome of the Dialogue was the signing of a Communique which reflected shared views on key issues and the agreement to hold the next Dialogue in Addis Ababa in 2026.